Big names on way to festival

Organisers have revealed the star-studded line up taking part in this year’s Ampthill Literary Festival on July 11.

In just its second year, the team behind the Ampthill Literary Festival have attracted the comedian Jenny Eclair, and only female winner of the Perrier Award for comedy, as the headline author.

Lisa Williamson, hailed as ‘one of the most talked-about writers of Young Adult fiction’ at the Hay Festival 2015, will give a talk at the morning session and hand out prizes in the Young Writers’ competition.

Joining them is Britain’s most famous movie critic, the broadcaster, journalist and author Barry Norman CBE.

Another familiar face adding to this year’s festivities will be John Challis, best known for playing the well-loved ‘Boycie’ from Only Fools and Horses.

Other names include Poldark star and author Robert Daws and TV funny man Ted Robbins (Phoenix Nights, The Slammer, Benidorm). Along with some famous faces, lit -lovers will too be wowed by the mind of local writer Alanna Collin as she launches her debut book, 10% Human, published by Harper Collins.

Ampthill Literary Festival Chair Rachel Lewis said: ‘We are obviously delighted to have such a brilliantly talented line-up of speakers. With so many A-Listers and superb entertainers, we’re set for a sell out.”

Entry is free for the morning session, £10 for the afternoon and £15 for the evening. Visit https://amplitfest.wordpress.com/ for more.